Firefighters are working frantically to protect homes and properties from a large bushfire burning near Hervey Bay.
The fire is moving in a north-westerly direction and authorities have issued a watch and act message for about 30 homes in the area.
They are concerned about properties in Pindari Crescent and Barrenjoey Road at Sunshine Acres and Old Rifle Range Road and Barrenjoey Road at Nikenbah.
Peter Hollier from the Rural Fire Service says people should have a bushfire survival plan or consider leaving if they do not have a plan.
“We are trying to engage with those people to ensure they have made preparations,” he said.
“If they don’t have a bushfire survival plan they may well consider to leave early.
“Leaving early is the safest option.
“As the fire comes close to their property it’s going to be very hot windy and certainly it’ll become increasingly difficult to hear see or breathe,” he said.
More than 15 crews are fighting the fire.
Sunshine Acres resident Michael Maynard says the fire came very close to his home.
“It was a huge bushfire, went through right across the properties here in the back end of back of Barrenjoey,” he said.
“It was a horrific fire. We actually had all the bags packed and the kids ready to go to leave, but the firies turned up and they did a little bit of back burning and got everything under control.”
